The Ahp-cii-uk Approach

“I believe we as leaders have an obligation to understand the circumstances surrounding the issues that plague First Nation communities in Canada. It apparent that the current way of doing business is not achieving the positive outcomes we desire. As leaders we want to see healthy individuals and communities. I believe that to achieve this type of systemic change we have to engage in a multi-stakeholder approach bringing together all stakeholders to collectively identify issues and solutions." - Dr. Michelle Corfield represents the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council at the table of Initiating Partners.

Learning Together for Aboriginal Community Development

First Nations communities are entering a new stage of development after the Federal apology for residential schools. A new generation of leadership is emerging, with a focus on doing business in new ways. Ahp-cii-uk is an initiative supported by partnerships between two levels of government, First Nations, businesses, and funding agencies. In keeping with new approaches that are built around a few key principles, Ahp-cii-uk:

  • Focuses on community strengths and opportunities the community believes will make a difference.
  • Builds capacity of community members to make effective decisions and manage projects.
  • Relies on consensus-based decision-making, leading to continuous accommodation of interests.

Ahp-cii-uk is designed to find new ways to address community concerns and aspirations. It is effective because it:

  • Builds long term relationships with multiple partners and draws on new financial and other resources from non-traditional sources.
  • Works with interested individuals, as well as elected council, to make effective decisions and manage projects.
  • Takes a holistic approach (sometimes called a “place-based approach”).

The Ahp-cii-uk Approach was developed because existing government approaches to working with First Nations were having a relatively small impact on First Nations levels of poverty, suicide, health, and other factors. Ahp-cii-uk complements the many existing programs intended to assist First Nations.